Refuge de la Braye

Refuge de la Braye sits at 1,423m in the Valais region, serving as a base for hikers and mountaineers working the peaks and ridges above the Arolla valley. Access is via the Arolla–Ferpècle trail, a 2-hour walk from Arolla village. The refuge sits well below the major alpine routes but gives straightforward access to 4,000m peaks and traverses across this corner of the Pennine Alps.

The refuge is basic mountain accommodation. It sleeps around 20 people in dormitory beds. Meals are provided on request—bring cash. There's no running water at the hut itself, so carry water or collect from streams nearby. Toilets are outside, squat-style. The season runs June to September, weather-dependent. This is genuinely minimal shelter: expect a simple kitchen, a common room, and that's it. The trade-off is low cost and a genuine refuge atmosphere rather than a tourist lodge.

Book directly with the guardian—contact details change year to year, so check the latest information through the SAC/CAS or local Arolla tourist office before you go. July and August fill quickly, especially weekends. Winter access is possible but entirely dependent on snow and avalanche conditions; contact locally to confirm. Get there early in the day if you haven't reserved ahead.